So close...but not close enough
That's how I feel about Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church (which is really Ruthenian, but let's not go there). It's a very nice bunch of people, a thriving community of Slavic Americans with a lot of stuff going on, and it doesn't feel right to me. I'm impressed that they use a lot of Old Church Slavonic in their liturgy, and the fact that the rest of it is in English certainly makes it easier to follow along, but...I don't think it's the place for me. Bizarre as this may sound, I'd rather drive further to take part in a liturgy I don't completely understand and have trouble following -because my Russian is rusty and Ukrainian's not quite the same anyway- and I can't quite put my finger on why that is. Part of it is the language, of course. I like the challenge of adapting my Russian knowledge to Ukrainian, and it's in a good cause. I also like being part of a smaller parish. Chances are more than good that as I become a regular member of the parish and make a habit of showing up, they'll miss me when I don't, and I think that's something I've been looking for in a parish for quite a while. We'll see how it works.
In the meantime, for those of you who are local, Epiphany of Our Lord is having their 36th Annual Slavic American Festival next Sunday, and I am given to understand that there will be a small mountain of holubki and kielbasa there which can be consumed in air-conditioned comfort for the benefit of one's low-carb diet. I'll be going to Mass at Holy Trinity, but I don't think they'll run out before I get there. :)
In the meantime, for those of you who are local, Epiphany of Our Lord is having their 36th Annual Slavic American Festival next Sunday, and I am given to understand that there will be a small mountain of holubki and kielbasa there which can be consumed in air-conditioned comfort for the benefit of one's low-carb diet. I'll be going to Mass at Holy Trinity, but I don't think they'll run out before I get there. :)